Paterson may move layoffs up to 2010

Governor Paterson is considering carrying out state employee layoffs before the new governor is in office–in calendar year 2010, not just fiscal year 2010. “I don’t think I should be setting up a layoff plan for the next governor to do,” he told Susan Arbetter on public radio’s The Capitol Pressroom. “I think if you’re going to do layoffs, you do them yourself. And so I’m really considering altering that and starting the layoffs sooner. In 2010.” He later clarified, saying that the total number of possible layoffs will depend on the number of people who are approved for the upcoming 25/55 early retirement incentive.